Society of Les Voyageurs

Society of Les Voyageurs
Formation	1907; 117 years ago
Type	University Student Group
Headquarters	Habe Mills Pine Lodge, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Principal Officer	James McNair
Affiliations	University of Michigan
Website	https://maizepages.umich.edu/organization/societyoflesvoyageurs

The Society of Les Voyageurs is a student organization at the University of Michigan. It is one of the oldest university outing clubs in the United States.^[1] Founded in 1907, the Society of Les Voyageurs is the second oldest student organization on the University of Michigan campus.^[2] On Sunday evenings during the academic year, the Society hosts communal dinners known as "Sunday Feeds" along with educational programs and entertainment related to the outdoors.

History

The Society of Les Voyageurs was founded in 1907 by University of Michigan students Elmer "Lindy" Lehndorff, Lawrence "Larry" Lark, and Chester MacChesney. They named the Society after the pioneering French-Canadian voyageurs of the Great Lakes fur trade, whom they admired as early adventurers and outdoorsmen. Society membership was initially open only to male students at the university. The Society's Constitution was amended in 1972 to allow for the admission of women, and the Society has been co-ed since that time. The Society has published an annual yearbook since 1910 as well as several volumes of Society history.

After nearly two decades of renting space on the University of Michigan campus, the Society drew up plans in 1924 to construct a cabin on several acres of property along the Huron River in Ann Arbor. "Pine Lodge", as it was originally named, was built almost entirely by Society members in the spring and summer of 1925, and has continually served since then as the home for the Society as well as a residence for student members. During the summer of 2012, the renamed Habe Mills Pine Lodge underwent an extensive renovation, including the installation of "Kay's Kitchen." The new kitchen is named for Kay Lane, a university student in the late 1960s and early 1970s upon whom Society members bestowed the title "Queen of the Cabin," and who ultimately paved the way for the admission of women as full members of the Society. After graduating from the University of Michigan, Kay remained active in the Society and was a well known friend and mentor to several generations of members.

2012 Cabin Renovation

Beginning in the summer of 2012, the cabin underwent a major renovation costing over $100,000. Plans for the renovation had been tossed around for years, and the final plans were made official in early January of that year. Most of the work was contracted out to by the River Carpentry, but many of the actives and alumni were around and gave a helping hand. The renovation consisted of expanding the dining room, adding an upstairs bathroom, re-doing the kitchen, adding in a hallway between the dining room and kitchen and expanding the upstairs lodge. The work was completed in August 2012, and was ready to welcome back students for the 2012 Fall semester. Potlucks continue as normal, but now there is more space to accommodate even more lovely guests.

Members

Laurence McKinley Gould: noted American geologist, educator, polar explorer, and president of Carleton College
Harold C. "Bud" Jordahl: noted environmental leader and Earth Day pioneer^[3]
Milan C. Miskovsky: CIA lawyer who negotiated the release of downed U2 pilot Francis Gary Powers and the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion prisoners in 1962^[4]
Grant W. Sharpe: pioneer of environmental interpretation and author of Interpreting the Environment^[5]^[6]
John F. Turner: former director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, president of The Conservation Fund, and Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
Red Berenson: former professional ice hockey player and coach of the University of Michigan men's ice hockey team
Chad P. Dawson: Managing editor of the International Journal of Wilderness and co-author of the "Wilderness Management" 4th edition (2009, Golden, Co., Fulcrum Publishing)
Steven E. Smitka: Olympic-level canoeist, philanthropist, and notable award winner. Managing editor of "Catch a Boat," a monthly self-help monograph (2021. Fitzroy + Co Publishing)
Dr. Carroll B. Williams: pioneer scientist in entomology with the United States Forest Service, first African American student to graduate from University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability^[7]

References

^ "The Society of les Voyageurs at the University of Michigan". Archived from the original on 12 October 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
^ "About Campus: Where the wilderness lovers are". The Michigan Daily.
^ skalk@madison.com | 608-252-6439, SAMARA KALK DERBY. "Harold "Bud" Jordahl, a giant of the conservation movement, dies at 83". madison.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ Schudel, Matt (18 October 2009). "CIA Lawyer Helped Free High-Profile Hostages". The Washington Post.
^ "National Association for Interpretation". Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
^ "Remembering Grant Sharpe by Wenonah (Nonie) Sharpe | School of Natural Resources and Environment | University of Michigan". Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
^ Kasten, Matthew (25 May 2021). "Announcing the Dr. Carroll B. Williams Fund for Black Excellence". School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan.

Sources

"Society of Les Voyageurs cabin on the Michigan Today website
A History of Les Voyageurs, 1907–1982 : the first seventy-five years. Ann Arbor, MI: Society of Les Voyageurs. 1982.
Phil Dinehart, ed. (2010). From the Cave of the Legends: Selections from a Century of Les Voyageurs Annuals. Ann Arbor, MI: Society of Les Voyageurs.